MISFIT 3

BookLife Reviews

This third volume of autobiographical tales spiked with wit and wisdom finds Mister John beginning, in familiar fashion, by addressing a broad, relatable subject-in this case, his disliking the sound of his voice. From there, he proceeds in a manner that will be familiar to readers familiar with previous "Misfit" installments, telling stories about his Wisconsin childhood, his time spent teaching in the United Arab Emirates and his early retirement in rural Ecuador. Amusing asides abound, with John noting that Floridians "pick and choose what weather to brag about" and that the "they" in "they say you're supposed to spend three months' salary on [engagement] rings" certainly "wasn't a financial advisor. Or an accountant."

Several chapters deal with serious incidents: learning that his stepfather has cancer and facing the deaths of a family friend and also of a favorite teacher, whom readers of Misfit 2 will recall. These tales of loss give this collection a slightly more melancholic tone, as does the conclusion of a star-crossed romance, though that's balanced out by wry wisdom and amusing anecdotes, some putting a new spin on familiar settings, like a pungent recollection of the rigors of cleaning the facilities of a tour boat he captained.

A few stories will seem familiar to readers of earlier entries. But there are still some surprises, including how the author got a job teaching in the Middle East. And we also get a closer look at his life in Ecuador, in a house of rammed-earth walls on a road that "aspire[s] to gravel," John's manner of exposition remains as roundabout as ever, taking unpredictable swerves- a yarn about seeing a porn film in a small Midwest town begins with Jaws and ends with an aside about UAE brothels. But the journey, however elliptical, is most of the fun, and brief mentions about witnessing an execution indicate John has more yarns left to spin.

Takeaway: Amusing, surprising stories about growing up, living abroad, and finding yourself.